THE GOLDEN BAY TRADE.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13168, 26 July 1911, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE GOLDEN BAY TRADE.

EXIT 'SiAJ>Y B"ARKLY".-~iINTER ■■■.-;•■■■ ' .'.■ :.( ; £HlNA.".'.v-.i:..\;:v: .

ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVE, ,\ ; > ...-■"MENTS. .'■■ ':.

(From "Tho Colonist," July 21.)

For years past the steamer-Lady Barkly, built at Williamstown, Victoria in 1861, to the order of Lord, Barkly, the Governor of Victoria, for use as a,pleasure yacht, has been a regular trader between Nelson" and-Golden Bay ports. Formerly a paddle steamer, she was subsequently converted into a screw steamer, and proved herself rj peatedly to be one of the swiftest vessels in the Bay trade. After the purchase of the shipping business of the late J. C. Burford by tho Golden Bay Shipping Company, the Lady Barkly was laid up for a complete overhaul, and the work, which has occupied nearly four months, has been completed, and yesterday morning she made a trial trip, prior. to resuming her running in the Bay trade under the. Maori name, of "Hina," which signifies brightness. While laid up the engines and "boiler of the vessel were removed by tho Anchor Foundry, whore they received a thorough overhaul. The hull, which is built of Australian ihardwood, was sujbjeclted to rigid tests, but the timber was found to bo as sound as the day it was put in. To further strengthen the vessel, however, sh© was refastened from stem to stern, and additional beams of jarrah were laid inside the hull, making her, as the Surveyor of Ships (Mr. N. R. Hood) said yesterday, stronger than she over was, and prolonging her life indefinitely. Opportunity was also taken while the engines and boiler were out of the vessel, to thoroughly cleanse her bilges and she is now as ' 'sweet as a nut." The boiler on being replaced was covered with asbestos blue blanket, and with the engines in good going order it is expected that her speed will be increased by fully one knot per hour. The vessel has been painted internally and externally from stem to stern, and her cabins now present a bright and comfortable appearance. It was found impossible to increase the accommodation for passengers, but every effort has been made io study their comfort and convenience. Spring mattresses have been placed in tho ladies' cabin and in the forward deck cabin, and new linoleums have been laid, while special attention has been paid to the lavatories, which arc Hushed by a pump in the engine room, the pump also supplying the boiler with water. Tho engine room skylights havo been raised to prevent tho seas in rough weather from getting into the engine room, and more room has l«en provided for*the captain on the bridge. Everything possible has been done to meet the requirements of the rapidly growing trade between Nelson and Golden Bay, and it is understood the directors of the Company arcf considering the question of building an up-to-date steamer at Nelson, to run in conjunction with the Hina.